Let's Talk About My Best Friend MaryJane

[Fidel_Castronaut]

I've perused the base literature in various journals and the efficacy of cannabis (specifically cannabidiol-enriched cannabis) for the treatment of various forms of epiliepsy is inconclsuive.

Some studies report in their very limited samples a reduction in the number of epileptic seizures (varying on patients and form of epilepsy):

Hegde et al. (2012) "Seizure exacerbation in two patients with focal epilepsy following marijuana cessation", Epilepsy & Behavior, 25 (4), pp. 563-566
Maa, E., & Figi, P. (2014) "The case for medical marijuana in epilepsy", Epilepsia, 55 (6), pp. 783-786 (<<Seems very pro marijuana so not sure of source)
Porter, B.E. & Jacobson, C. (2013) "Report of a parent survey of cannabidiol-enriched cannabis use in pediatric treatment-resistant epilepsy", Epilepsy & Behavior, 29 (3), pp. 574 - 577

However all the literature almost without fail indicates that the variables are numerous and mostly unknown, so there's no way to know for sure (currently) whether cannabis can both reduce seizures (as there are some indications it can) but also provide a long term seizure free solution. As epilspsy is very much a contextual neurological problem that's dependent entirely on the patient and the treatment they have undergone, creating a unilateral or all-encompassing experiment could be impossible.

Jasti, M., Yarlagadda, V. & Joshi, C. (2014) "Cannabinoids for epilepsy: is marijuana an effective treatment for epilepsy? ", Journal of Pediatric Epilepsy, 3 (1), pp. 63-66

There's also little to no evidence (that I can find thus far) that suggests how cannabis acts when combined with other drugs used to treat epilepsy (or other neurological ailments), or when a patient withdraws from using cannabis and/or other drugs, as discussed briefly in:

Swift et al. (2013) "Analysis of Cannabis Seizures in NSW, Australia: Cannabis Potency and Cannabinoid Profile", PLoS ONE, 8 (7), pp. [online journal - no page reference]

A decent (albeit old) literature review can be found here. I haven't had the time to research any newer ones though I presume there are some:

Gurley et al. (1998) "Medicinal Marijuana: A Comprehensive Review", Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 30 (2), pp. 137-147

[RobbyPants]

Alright so I've tried to Google search this shit, but is anyone aware of when/if recreational marijuana use will be legal in the state of Illinois? Because I'm getting tired of hiding this shit, you know?

I do not know of anything, although I'm from Michigan. We'll have to see how things go in Washington and Colorado. Hopefully other states will soon follow.

What are your thoughts on marijuana and why it should or should not be legalized?

I'm going to echo what Napoléon said about alcohol and tobacco being legal. I see no reason weed shouldn't be, and this is coming from someone who doesn't smoke and has no real inclination to.

[Ryantology]

Although I favor legalization I find this argument unconvincing.

You have to look at it in the context of how likely it is that either alcohol or tobacco will ever be criminalized. It's perhaps better to phrase it as "Since alcohol and tobacco are legal and will remain so indefinitely, there is no reason to continue to criminalize cannabis possession and sale".

[rexbeccarox]

I live in California and have my medical marijuana rec. I have for almost five years.

Yes, weed is fun, but I use it for my debilitating insomnia, my arthritis, and as an appetite enhancer. Before I started smoking regularly, I was always at least ten LBs underweight. I'm still a little underweight, but it's manageable now.

It's a "miracle" for those of us who use it for various ailments.

[Jackalope]

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I've perused the base literature in various journals and the efficacy of cannabis (specifically cannabidiol-enriched cannabis) for the treatment of various forms of epiliepsy is inconclsuive.

Some studies report in their very limited samples a reduction in the number of epileptic seizures (varying on patients and form of epilepsy):

Hegde et al. (2012) "Seizure exacerbation in two patients with focal epilepsy following marijuana cessation", Epilepsy & Behavior, 25 (4), pp. 563-566
Maa, E., & Figi, P. (2014) "The case for medical marijuana in epilepsy", Epilepsia, 55 (6), pp. 783-786 (<<Seems very pro marijuana so not sure of source)
Porter, B.E. & Jacobson, C. (2013) "Report of a parent survey of cannabidiol-enriched cannabis use in pediatric treatment-resistant epilepsy", Epilepsy & Behavior, 29 (3), pp. 574 - 577

However all the literature almost without fail indicates that the variables are numerous and mostly unknown, so there's no way to know for sure (currently) whether cannabis can both reduce seizures (as there are some indications it can) but also provide a long term seizure free solution. As epilspsy is very much a contextual neurological problem that's dependent entirely on the patient and the treatment they have undergone, creating a unilateral or all-encompassing experiment could be impossible.

Jasti, M., Yarlagadda, V. & Joshi, C. (2014) "Cannabinoids for epilepsy: is marijuana an effective treatment for epilepsy? ", Journal of Pediatric Epilepsy, 3 (1), pp. 63-66

There's also little to no evidence (that I can find thus far) that suggests how cannabis acts when combined with other drugs used to treat epilepsy (or other neurological ailments), or when a patient withdraws from using cannabis and/or other drugs, as discussed briefly in:

Swift et al. (2013) "Analysis of Cannabis Seizures in NSW, Australia: Cannabis Potency and Cannabinoid Profile", PLoS ONE, 8 (7), pp. [online journal - no page reference]

A decent (albeit old) literature review can be found here. I haven't had the time to research any newer ones though I presume there are some:

Gurley et al. (1998) "Medicinal Marijuana: A Comprehensive Review", Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 30 (2), pp. 137-147

---

I can't speak to the efficiacy of canniboids regarding epilepsy, nor am I qualified to interpret the research.

However, I can say that cannabis helps relieve my neuropathic pain. The quality of sleep I am able to achieve with cannabis compared to without is marked. Could be a placebo effect, but I think not.

[Ryantology]

While I'm sure there are plenty of medical benefits, I consume cannabis purely for the pleasure of the high.

Legalizing for medical is great and useful, but it really should be up to us rational, consenting adults why we choose to use it.

[Whateverist]

I'd say cannabis use should probably be mandatory for assholes, recommended for people with 'medical' conditions and legal for the rest of us.

[Cato]

I will never understand the criminalization of a victimless act.

[Minimalist]

Just follow the money, Cato. As noted above...lots of rpublicunt bastards make a fortune locking up brown people.

[Whateverist]

Yeah big prisons is big business.